In 2018, Jessica Barratt left London after 16 years and moved to Bath, Somerset, seeking a calmer life away from her cramped Brixton flat. She purchased a terraced house with stunning views of the countryside and a spacious 50-foot garden, believing it to be the perfect solution for her family.
At first, Jessica and her husband felt a sense of satisfaction: they maintained the stability of London salaries while benefiting from significantly lower expenses. Their mortgage payments were only half of their previous rent, and council tax costs were considerably reduced. Surrounded by rural landscapes and with two children now in tow, they enjoyed what felt like a “better quality of life.” The local scene in Bath had also transformed, boasting a vibrant restaurant and retail offering that far exceeded what was available during Jessica’s youth.
However, the initial smugness has given way to doubts. Writing in The I Paper, Jessica shares how rising interest rates, the loss of remote work flexibility, and expensive train fares have complicated life outside London. Particularly following the 2022 mini-budget announced by Liz Truss, their mortgage interest rates soared, forcing them to abandon plans to move to a larger home ahead of their second child’s arrival.
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Commuting costs between Bath and London have become financially taxing. Last-minute flexible day return tickets to London Paddington can reach £260, and even advance bookings often cost over £100 per round trip—nearly double the price from the previous year. These expenses compelled Jessica to leave her job and pursue freelance writing amid mounting financial pressure from childcare, travel, and everyday expenses like coffee and lunch purchases.
Local living costs in Bath have also risen sharply, with coffee exceeding £5 and pints priced around £8. These realities have occasionally led the family to wonder whether staying in London would have been a more sensible financial choice. Despite these concerns, they have decided to remain in Bath, valuing the city’s exceptional schools, safety, and proximity to family.
Jessica insists she still wants to raise her family in Bath but offers a cautious warning to anyone considering trading London’s hustle for Somerset’s calm: “The grass isn’t always greener.”